Marilyn Barr among wildflowers, holding a strawberry

From Microscopes to Monsters

Marilyn has a diverse background containing experiences as a child prodigy turned medical school reject, published microbiologist, special education and inclusion science teacher, homeschool mother of a savant, and advocate for the autistic community. This puts her in the position to bring tales containing heroes who are regular people with different ability levels and body types, in a light where they are powerful, lovable, and appreciated.

She currently resides in the wilds of Kentucky with her husband, son, and rescue cats. She is a hybrid publishing author with indie books as well as titles with The Wild Rose Press. When she's engaging with the real world, she's collecting characters, empty coffee cups, and unused homeschool curricula. She loves to read paranormal romance as much as she loves to write it.

She is a sucker (haha) for cheesy vampire movies, Italian food, punk music, black cats, bad puns, and all things witchy.

Curious what she's reading right now? Find her on Goodreads.

The Collection

Imadjinn Award trophy for Best Paranormal Romance Novel

Award-Winning Storytelling

  • Imadjinn Award — Best Paranormal Romance
  • 2026 Imadjinn Awards Finalist — Best Cross Genre Fiction, Clutching Cthulhu's Pearls
  • N.N. Light Book Heaven — Paranormal Romance of 2022
  • InD'tale Crowned Heart of ExcellenceDance to a Wylder Beat
  • RONE Award FinalistDance to a Wylder Beat
  • 2nd Place, National Excellence in Story-Telling (NEST)Dance to a Wylder Beat
  • Best Historical/Western, Still Moments MagazineSound of a Wylder Silence